Apparatus and methods for producing electricity using geothermal energy
AssigneeGeogen Technologies Inc.
InventorMatthew Hogg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A geothermal power system is disclosed. The system comprises a downhole turbine configured to operate within a wellbore and a downhole electrical generator configured to be driven by the turbine. A channel facilitates flow of a working fluid through the turbine. The channel has a feed portion allowing the working fluid to flow in a direction away from the surface and a return portion allowing the working fluid to flow in a direction towards the surface. A surface structure is in fluid communication with the feed portion and the return portion to circulate the working fluid through the channel.
Claims14
A geothermal power system comprising:
- a channel configured for containing a working fluid and directing the working fluid at least in part through a wellbore, wherein the channel is a continuous channel which comprises a feed portion configured to allow the working fluid to flow in a direction away from a surface of the wellbore and a return portion configured to allow the working fluid to flow in a direction towards the surface, wherein the feed portion and the return portion each include downhole portions installed in the wellbore, wherein the channel is a closed loop and the working fluid harvests thermal energy from a formation surrounding the wellbore;
- a downhole liquid turbine disposed in the feed portion and configured to operate within the wellbore being driven by the working fluid contained within the channel;
- a downhole electrical generator disposed in one of the downhole portions and configured to operate within the wellbore and to be driven by the turbine to generate electricity;
- and
- an electrical cable for transmitting the electricity generated by the downhole electrical generator to the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.